Flushing apparatus



INVENTOR ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LIL l n m M f x H 6. M M L M W Fig. 4

W G MERRITT FLUSHING APPARATUS 0 5 4 9 l 1. O. c 5 m .L d P h i & F

Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE (Granted undertheact of"Marchj3;. 1883,..35 amended April30, 1928;370-0. G. 757) 7Claims;

This invention relates to flushing apparatus and mor particularly toapparatus for flushing radiators, oil coolers, or other circulationsystems or the like with cleansing fluids.

Objects of the invention are to provide improved fiushing apparatus fordirecting flow of cleansing fluids through circulation systems or thelike, by use of which the direction of flow through the systems may beperiodically automatically reversed; to provide .flushingapparatus ofthe character referred to in which the period of reversals may be variedas desired; to provide improved mechanisms for reversing the directionof flow of fluids; and to provide for carrying out the foregoing objectsin a facile, economical, and efiicient manner.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preierred'forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a flushing apparatus embodying thefeaturesof the present invention.

Fig. *2 is a verticalsectional view of the apparatus taken substantiallyon the line 2 --2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal-sectionalview of a portion of the apparatus takensubstantially On the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the apparatus.

Referring more in details to the drawings:

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, theapparatus comprises a'first mani'-. fold l and a second'manifoldi,.Seouredtogether and operatively connected by apairof'conduits 3 and i, the manifolds andrconduits preferably being formedof cylindrical metallic pipe section's secured together, as'by-welding.The conduits 3'- and 4 are preferably joined to ithesecond manifold 2adjacent the ends of'the latter. The first manifold preferably hasastrainer or filter 5-removably secured to-its lower or dischargexend asby a collar 6.

An inlet connection I issecured to-the manifold 2' midway of thelengthof the latter and normally the apparatus is supported from apipesecured to said inlet connection, although it is; obvious that othersupport means could beprovided. A pair of discharge connections ordistribution ports 8 and 9 (Fig. 1) are secured to the-manifold 2 ateach side of said .inlet connection and are substantially equally,spaced lon itudinally therefrom.

When water is, employed as the cleansing fluid; the inlet connection 'I'is secured to any convenient water carrying, line or pipe, not shown,which furnishes asupplyof water underpressure; as well as serving tosupport the apparatus. When the, cleansing, fluid employed isother'thanwater, as for example, some suitable solvent,lthe inlet connection maybe. connected to a tank or' other supply .oifiuid, with a suitable pump,being. providedlforforcing the fluid through the, apparatus. Thedistribution ports .8 and 9 areadaptedvto conununicatelwithinlet andoutlet openingspi a circulation-system or, the..lik e, not.shown,.tofunction alternately to carry fluid tothe system and to return fluid tothemaniiold, in a manner hereinafterexplained. 1

.Effluentiiom the apparatus passes therefrom through the strainerorfilter 5. .When the cleansingfiuid is water,..the .efiluent, isordinarily. dis.

carded after it leaves the apparatus. Whemflui'dother thanwater,isemployedthe effluent isnormally. returned. to. .the tank .or: othersourcenafter havingrbeen cleaned .as..=much. as practicable,..to thuscomplete a fluid circuit.

Asshown in- Fig. 2,. apair of longitudinally spacedpi tons, l0 and. Hare slidably mountedin the, manifold 2 .for ,reciprocable movement tweenlowered and. raised positions, the.- lowered position being illustratedin Fig.2; The pistons are securedvto a-common piston rod l2 andsthelongitudinal distance. between the .pistonsisprefF erably.approximatelyqequal to the distance The.- tweenthe centersoftthevdistribution ports8 and 9. ,"I'T-he: piston. rod 12- extendsoutwardly from the manifold from an end thereof through a stuf fing box13, which may be of any suitable known construction, as, for example,that illustrated. Preferably. stop means, are employedtolimit slidingmovement of thepistons. The stop means may. convenientlycomprise anextensio 14- beneath thelower. piston. In engageablewitnthe bottomawalLoi the manifold 2 to limit downward movement'oi the pistons and asleeve. |15=iixed to thepiston rod above the upper pisto .l lengageable. with. the -stuffingbox to. 1 limit upward movement. .It isapparentthatother stop means could-be employed. and would be .fullequivalents;

for example, alsystem of collars as-employedyin and. I8, (which.preferably. are connected to :the

manifold longitudinally adjacent thev distribution ports 8., and. 9-1and to the-cylinder.adjacentflthe ends thereof. The conduits H and [8preferably are equipped with flow regulating means l9 and 2e,respectively, which are operable to adjust the periods of reversals offlow through the apparatus in a manner hereinafter explained. The

mounted for reciprocable movement in the cylinder l6 and is connected toa piston rod 22. The latter extends outwardly from the cylinder from anend thereof through a stufiing box 23 that likewise may be of anysuitable known construction. The piston rods |2and 22 extend from themanifold and cylinder respectively in spaced parallel relation to eachother.

A beam 24 is fixed between the manifold 2 an the cylinder l6 and anupright 25 is fixedly secured to said beam and extends in spacedparallel relation to the piston rods I2 and 22 substantially midwaybetween them. The upright preferably has a guide bar 26 fixedly securedto itsupper end, and ,said guide bar is apertured to slidably. receivethe piston rods and thus guide their movement.

Intermediate of their lengths the piston rods l2 and 22 carry guides 21and 28, respectively, which are preferably substantially. identical inconstruction. The guides each comprise end pieces fixed to the rodsections and spaced parallel side plates fixed to the end pieces,Preferably a pair of spaced upper and lower rollers 23. are rotatablymounted between the side plates ofeach guide.

A pair of arms 3!] and 3| are pivotally connected to the upright 25andengage the guides acting piston 2|, by way of the valved conduit Asthe cylinder is gradually filled, the piston 2| is forced upwardly, thusraising the piston rod 22 and the guide 28. Upward movement of the guidepivots the arm 3| in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2,thus extendin the springs 38 and 39.

Such movement continues until the arm 3| becomes aligned with the arm 30and moves a little beyond the aligned position. When such relativeposition is reached, the springs 38 and 39, actin on the arm 30, pivotthe latter in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. The arm 30 actson the guide 21 to raise the uide and thereby raise the piston rod |2and the pair of pistons I0 and H.

The direction or" flow of fluid from the manifold 2 is thereby reversed,since, in the raised position of the pistons, fluid may be dischargedfrom the manifold through the upper distribution port 9, but not throughthe lower distribution port 8. The fluid now returns to the manifold 2through the lower distribution port 8 and passes 21] and 28respectively. As shown most clearly inFig. 3, the arm 30 is preferablybifurcated, as indicated at 32, to provide portions for embracing theupright 25 and a similar bifurcation on the arm 3|. The outer end of thearm 30 has a central extension 33 that is slidably received between theside plates of the guide 21 and between the rollers 29. The arm 30 alsohas a pair of external extensions 34 and 35 that engage the externalsurfaces of the side plates of the guide. The arm 3| ispreferablysubstantially identical in construction to the arm 30 andhence is not described in detail. V

As shown in Figs, 2 and 3, the outer external extensions of the arms 30and 3| have studs 36 and 31 respectively fixed thereto. A pair oftension springs 38 and 39 are connected between the studs 36 and 3!preferably on each side of the arms.

Operation The inlet I is connected to a suitable source of cleansingfluid and the distribution ports are connected to access openings of aradiator or other circulating system or the like to be flushed.

. Fluid enters the manifold 2 throu h the inlet [between the pistons H]and II. With the pistons in the lowered position, as illustrated in Fig;2, fluid discharges from the manifold through the lowe distribution port8, whence it passes through the system being flushed and returns to themanifold through the upper distribution port 9. After returning to themanifold 2, the fluid leaves through the conduit 4 and passes ,intothemanifold from which it emerges through the strainer 5.

As fluid leaves the manifold 2 through the distribution port 8, asmaller amount of 'fluid enters the actuating cylinder l6, below'thedouble therefrom into the manifold by way of the conduit 3.

As fluid is discharged from the upper opening 9, a smaller amountthereof flows through the upper valved conduit |8 into the actuatingcylinder l6 above the piston 2|. Such fluid acts on the piston to lowerit, and thereby lower the piston rod 22 and the guide 28 and pivot thearm 3| in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. When the arm 3| ispivoted past alignment with the arm 30, the springs 38 and 39 again acton the arm'30, this time to pivot the arm in'a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 2. Such pivoting of the arm 3|} lowers theguide 27, the piston rod l2, and the pair of pistons m and II. Thedirection of flow is thus again reversed;

The cycle 0f reversals of direction of flow just described continues aslong as desired. The-period of reversals may be varied by adjusting theregulating valves l3 and 2!], which control the volume of fluidpermitted to flow through the valved conduits. -It is seen that thegreater the flow of fluid into the actuating cylinder, the morefrequently the reversals occur. If it is desired to have flow from themanifold in one direction only, the regulatory valves may be closed,thus preventing flow into the actuating cylinder.

Modification In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of fiushingapparatus embodying the features of the present invention in which onlya single manifold is employed.

The modified form of apparatus comprises a manifold 49, having an inletconnection M and a pair of discharge openings or distribution ports, notshown, but arranged similarly to the distribution ports 8 and 9 in theform of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A strainer or filter 42is preferably removably secured to the lower end of the manifold.

' A pair of longitudinally spaced pistons 43 and 44 are slidably'mounted in the manifold for reciprocable movement between lowered andraised positions, the lowered position being illustrated amass:

box '48. The piston rod carries stop means, preferably a pair-of spacedcollars 49 and-5e, engageable with the sides of the stuffing box, forlimiting-movement of the pistons.

The modified form of the apparatus comprises flow reversing means,designated generally as 51, which is identical to the means shown anddescribed in connection with the embodiment of the invention of'Figs.1,2 and 3;. hence the means is not. described, in detail in connectionwith the modifiedform of the invention.

The operation of the modified form of the apparatus is substantiallysimilar to the operation already described, except that fluidreturningto the manifold 49 through theupper distributlon port passes into thelower portion of the manifold through the tubular member 45. Such'fluid,ss;we1las fluid returning-tothe-manifold through the lower distributionport, is drained from the manifold through the strainer 42.

Whi1e I have shown but certain embodiments ofmy invention, it isapparent that the device is susceptible to further modification withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. I do not wish, therefore, tobe limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of theappended claims.

"The invention described herein may be manu factured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a manifold having aninlet, a distribution port, a conduit opening thereinto, and an outlet;a piston slidable in said manifold past said distribution port and theconduit opening between a first position wherein said distribution portand said conduit opening are in fluid communication directly throughsaid manifold with said outlet and are blocked from fluid communicationdirectly through said manifold with said inlet and a second positionwherein said port and said conduit opening are in fluid communicationdirectly through said manifold with said inlet and are blocked fromfluid communication directly through said manifold with said outlet;said manifold having, also, a second distribution port, a second conduitopening thereinto, and a second outlet all disposed in the portion ofsaid manifold axially opposite, relative to said inlet, to the portioncontaining their corresponding first mentioned counterparts; a secondpiston slidable in said manifold past said second port and the openingof said second conduit between a first position wherein said second portand said second conduit opening are in fluid communication directlythrough said manifold with said inlet and are blocked from fluidcommunication directly through said manifold with said second outlet anda second position wherein said second port and said second conduitopening are in fluid communication directly through said manifold withsaid second outlet and are blocked from fluid communication directlythrough said manifold with said inlet; means connecting said pistons tomove together so that each assumes its respective first positionsubstantially simultaneously with the other and each assumes itsrespective second position simultaneously with the other; an actuatingcylinder having an actuating piston slidably disposed therein; saidactuating cylinder having said conduits connected thereto, one openingtherein-to on either side axially re'lative'tosaid'pistong'meansdn saidconduits-for control ling theflow-of fluid therein; means including ayieldable "linkage-connected between said actuating piston and saidmanifold pistons whereby movementof said actuating piston in oppositedirections-produces movement of said manifold pistons between theirfirst and second positions.

2. In a flushing apparatus, a manifold having an inlet; midway of thelength thereof and a pair ofdistribution'ports spaced longitudinallyfrom said inlet at each side thereof, a pair of connected pistons havingtheir adjacent faces spaced apart a diotance greater than the distancebetweenthe-inlet and either distribution port,: said pistons beingslidable in said manifold between positions spanning said inlet andfirst one and then the other of said distribution ports, a pis-' ton rodsecured,- to said pistons and extending beyond said manifold, anactuating cylinder, conduits connected tosaid manifold oppositesaiddistribution ports" and to said cylinder adjacent theends thereof, anactuating piston slidable in said cylinder, means for venting fluid'fromthat sideofsaid-actuating piston opposite the side thereof beingsupplied by fluid from one of said conduits, a'piston rod secured tosaid actuating piston andextending in parallel relation to said firstnamed rod, guide means carried by said piston rods, support meanscarried by said manifold and cylinder, arms pivoted to said supportmeans and slidable in said guide means, and spring means connecting saidarms, whereby movement of said actuating piston beyond predeterminedpoints moves said first named pistons to change direction of flow fromsaid manifold.

3. In a flushing apparatus, a manifold having an inlet midway of thelength thereof and a pair of distribution ports spaced longitudinallyfrom said inlet at each side thereof, a pair of pistons slidable in saidmanifold and having their adjacent sides spaced apart sufllcient to spansaid inlet and either of said distribution ports, tubular meansconnecting said pistons and being open at the ends outwardly of thepistons, a piston rod secured to said pistons, an actuating cylinder,conduits connected to said manifold opposite said discharge openings andto said actuating cylinder adjacent the ends thereof, an actuatingpiston slidable in said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said actuatingpiston, and spring and linkage means operatively connecting said pistonrods whereby movement of said last piston beyond predetermined pointsmoves said first named pistons to change direction flow from saidmanifold, said manifold having a drain a-djacent an end thereof.

4. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having aninlet, an outlet connection, and a pair of distribution ports; a pair ofspaced pistons slidable as a unit within said cylinder between a firstposition in which said pistons place the first of said ports in fluidcommunication with said inlet and the second of said ports in fluidcommunication with said outlet connection and a second position in whichsaid pistons place said second port in fluid communication with saidinlet and said first port in fluid communication with said outletconnection; and mechanism actuated by fluid supplied from said inlet forperiodically automatically shifting said pistons to and from saidpositions, said mechanism comprising an actuating cylinder and piston, apair of fluid conduits each having its one end connected tosaida'ctuating cylinder one on either side of said actuating piston,said conduits being connected at their other ends each to partake,respectively, of the fluid flow in the same manner as one of saiddistribution ports, and means connecting said actuating piston with saidspaced pistons whereby motion of the former is transmitted to thelatter.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said last named means includes a togglelinkage whereby said spaced pistons are shifted suddenly between theirlimiting positions.

6. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having aninlet, an outlet connection, and a pair of distribution ports; a pair ofspaced pistons slidable as a unit within said cylinder between a firstposition in which said pistons place the first of said ports in fluidcommunication with said'inlet and the second of said ports in fluidcommunication with said outlet connection and a second position in whichsaid pistons place said second port in fluid communication with saidinlet and said first port in fluid communication with said outlet; andmechanism 8 1 member therein, a pair of fluid conduits conmeeting withsaid chamber on opposite sides of said member, one conduit beingconnected-t0 transmit the fluid pressure at one of said ports and theother conduit being connected to transmit the fluid pressure at theother of said ports, and means linking said member to said spacedpistons.

,7. The device of claim 4 Whereinvalves are provided in said fluidconduits.

WILLIAM G. MERRITT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 928,459 Kieselhorst July 20, 19091,772,578 Hartford Aug. 12, 1930 2,169,620 Spayd Aug. 15, 1939 2,273,679Westberg Feb. 17, 1942 2,330,151 Smith Sept. 21, 1943 2,374,437 KerryApr. 24, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 32,473 Austria of 1908

